Check-in begins at 9 a.m., opening remarks take place at 10 a.m., and the walk steps off at 10:15 a.m. It will take place rain or shine.

Participants can choose either a 3/4 mile or 1.5 mile course to raise funds for lung cancer research. The course is friendly to stroller, wheelchairs, bicycles and pets.

The walk is free, but a donation of $20 per person is suggested. Proceeds benefit LUNGevity, a Chicago not-for-profit organization whose mission is to find a cure. Visit: http://www.lungevity.org/naperville.

Radio station 101.9fm THE MIX will provide the morning's soundtrack. For the kids, there will be bears to stuff, a fun obstacle course and face painting.

“Lung cancer is the deadliest of all cancers, and yet it remains the least funded,” said Michele Bowles of Elmhurst, chairman of the event. “This walk, which raised more than $38,000 last year and more than $376,000 since its inception, is one of many events across the country hoping to change that. Because of walks like ours, hope endures, and a cure for lung cancer can be found.”

The organization hopes to raise more than $40,000 this year, and Bowles has an especially powerful motivation. This fall will mark 14 years since her husband Tom was diagnosed with lung cancer.

“At the time he was diagnosed, I never would have believed it possible that I could say those words,” she said. “I am able to say them, however, because the wonderful thoughts and prayers from everyone who knows him and because of all the changes in treatments and cancer research, many of which are funded by walks like ours. Tom receives treatments every five weeks, and things continue to look positive. The small cancer spots are being watched carefully, and currently they are not growing, which is the important part.”

LUNGevity is a 501c3 organization, and its vision is to unite the country in one movement to “…end lung cancer now.” Three years ago LUNGevity and Protect Your Lungs joined forces to become one of the largest private funders of lung cancer research and the largest national lung cancer grassroots organization dedicated to ending lung cancer. Both organizations chose to adopt the LUNGevity name.

The walk and rally was founded by Renee Kosiarek of Naperville. After her father died of lung cancer 11 years ago, she set out with great passion to raise money and awareness of the deadly disease and, like “The Little Engine that Could,” the walk has gained momentum from the humble event of 100 people.

“This walk has become an annual tradition for many families touched by lung cancer.” said Kosiarek. “When we began, there were almost no events or walks for lung cancer. Now, there are walks all across the country. However, we must not stop until we find a cure.

“Let us walk together. We walk because lung cancer has touched us in some way. We walk because we hope to spread greater awareness about lung cancer. We walk, because we know that together, we will make a difference.”